Cheap basic scan tool
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Cheap basic scan tool
Not sure if I'm posting in the right place, but I just bought one of these for 35 bucks on Amazon:
ht tps://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B01G5EA74I/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
It's VERY Chinese, but support (emailed to confirm compatibility with 2004 Civic D17A1) is fast and helpful. As I dig into my friend's unhealthy Civic, I'll update with my thoughts. I'm new to the forum, and will be sponging lotsa info from y'all, so I thought with my limited Honda-specific knowledge I ought to give something back. Will keep ya posted on how useful this incredibly cheap scanner is!
Best,
Jim B.
Grove City, OH
ht tps://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B01G5EA74I/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
It's VERY Chinese, but support (emailed to confirm compatibility with 2004 Civic D17A1) is fast and helpful. As I dig into my friend's unhealthy Civic, I'll update with my thoughts. I'm new to the forum, and will be sponging lotsa info from y'all, so I thought with my limited Honda-specific knowledge I ought to give something back. Will keep ya posted on how useful this incredibly cheap scanner is!
Best,
Jim B.
Grove City, OH
Last edited by ezone; Jun 5, 2017 at 09:07 PM. Reason: handicapped the link?
If you think a good mechanic is expensive, try hiring a bad one
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Re: Cheap basic scan tool
Unghosted the post.
Crippled the link, I wonder if that's why the system ghosted it this time.
Crippled the link, I wonder if that's why the system ghosted it this time.
Joined: Aug 2003
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From: Las Vegas, NV
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uncrippled link for the lazy
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Dr Krieger of Modification
Joined: Jul 2010
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From: canada
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I like the bluetooth OBDII scanners that link to a smart phone via Torque Pro app.
You'll get way more features, like data logging, gps tracking for 0-60, gps time attack, live system readout (rpm fuel mix, o2 sensors, coolant temp).
You'll get way more features, like data logging, gps tracking for 0-60, gps time attack, live system readout (rpm fuel mix, o2 sensors, coolant temp).
Thread Starter
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I just got done fooling around with the cheap Ancel 310 code scanner-- for $34, I am blown away by what it can do on a 2004 Civic. Granted, it's not wireless, BT, etc., but I am old and hate my phone. People text me on it. A lot. Sometimes they even call. So it's nice to have a tool in the garage and my phone charging in the living room where I can't hear it.
I'm not a mechanic. I'm a working class, middle-aged redneck who fixes stuff from time to time. If you fix stuff from time to time, you don't have to be any of the other demographics to use or enjoy using this thing. I've seen the awesome scan stuff that plugs into a laptop, allows graphing of various parameters, etc. And it's neat if you're a mechanic. Maybe even essential. But for most of us...
The reader shows-- and deciphers-- open codes, freeze frame data, live data, has some kinda function to set triggers (which I will probably/hopefully never use) and a series of menus to read what's going on with your car. RPM (helpful if you're dealing with a Civic "Value Package" with no tachometer), MAP, AIC, A/F %... hell, I don't even know what most of the data means. But it's there if I need it, and it was pretty crazy cheap. If it got run over in the driveway, I'd be p#ssed. But it wouldn't break my heart, like if I invested in a really nice, easy to use, fancy tool that cost half a paycheck. It's a backlit, black and white LED screen. Small but readable. You'll have to scroll a lot to read everything, it's about 4 or 5 lines worth of text.
Anyway, my $.02. I think it's a heck of a good deal. If it bites the dust prematurely or I learn anything good/bad/ugly about it, I'll update as necessary. Wish I'd bought it sooner!
Cheers
Jim B.
Grove City, OH
I'm not a mechanic. I'm a working class, middle-aged redneck who fixes stuff from time to time. If you fix stuff from time to time, you don't have to be any of the other demographics to use or enjoy using this thing. I've seen the awesome scan stuff that plugs into a laptop, allows graphing of various parameters, etc. And it's neat if you're a mechanic. Maybe even essential. But for most of us...
The reader shows-- and deciphers-- open codes, freeze frame data, live data, has some kinda function to set triggers (which I will probably/hopefully never use) and a series of menus to read what's going on with your car. RPM (helpful if you're dealing with a Civic "Value Package" with no tachometer), MAP, AIC, A/F %... hell, I don't even know what most of the data means. But it's there if I need it, and it was pretty crazy cheap. If it got run over in the driveway, I'd be p#ssed. But it wouldn't break my heart, like if I invested in a really nice, easy to use, fancy tool that cost half a paycheck. It's a backlit, black and white LED screen. Small but readable. You'll have to scroll a lot to read everything, it's about 4 or 5 lines worth of text.
Anyway, my $.02. I think it's a heck of a good deal. If it bites the dust prematurely or I learn anything good/bad/ugly about it, I'll update as necessary. Wish I'd bought it sooner!
Cheers
Jim B.
Grove City, OH
